Berhampur,August18:A contractual teacher of a government-run high school in Ganjam district was arrested for allegedly thrashing a Class X student, police said today.

The teacher allegedly beaten up the 15-year old when he found him sleeping in his class on Friday. The boy sustained injuries and was initially treated at the primary health centre at Sumandal and then admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. His condition is stated to be stable, they said.

"The teacher was arrested on Sunday on the basis of a complaint lodged by the injured boy's father," Inspector In-Charge of Kodala police station Kalpana Kanhar said.

"We are conducting an inquiry into the incident,"he said.

In 2004, the state government banned corporal punishment in schools across Odisha.